Bridgestone Motorcycle Parts Discussion Board

Bridgestone Tech Talk => 50, 60, 90 & 100 Talk => Topic started by: Olclops on July 15, 2015, 03:12:08 PM

Title: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 15, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
Hey guys,

I followed some super helpful advice here on fixing a leaky gas tank, and after I reassembed everything, my petcock, which was working fine, now leaks from around the valve. Is that fixable, or do I need a specialized tool to unseat the valve housing? I see two small holes around the valve - i'm guessing you could unthread that and change a seal if you could get it off, but no idea how to tackle that. Any hints?

Thanks,

Matt

[edit: good lord, ridiculous typos. All better now.]
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: slawsonb on July 15, 2015, 05:53:21 PM
First let us know the model/year we are dealing with and a pic would also be helpful. In general, BS petcocks are rebuildable but we need more to go on. Thanks
...bert
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 15, 2015, 11:27:36 PM
It's a '63 BS-7, 50cc.

I'll post a petcock pick in the morning.

Boy, that could never be taken out of context and used against me. :)
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: OldSwartout on July 16, 2015, 08:45:21 AM
That threaded ring with the two holes can sometimes just be tightened a bit with snapring or needle-nosed pliers to stop the leak.
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 16, 2015, 11:23:33 AM
Thanks, everybody. Giving that a shot. Here's the promised pic anyway.

Enjoy.

Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: RayK on July 16, 2015, 07:25:43 PM
Matt
I have found that (literally) 9 out of 10 of these small fuel taps are unserviceable, unlike the 175/200/350 taps. Richard has excellent after market taps.

I have found these taps from Indonesia (our neighbour) are suitable also ( although the reserve and off positions can be reversed)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170718362039?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170718362039?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

Good luck
RayK

Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: slawsonb on July 16, 2015, 10:08:53 PM
Ray, just for my education, and Matt please indulge me. Are the BS7 taps similar to the other small displacement BS models taps? Thanks
...bert
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: RayK on July 17, 2015, 01:44:39 AM
Bert
Not sure on bs7 taps, the one that Matt posted looks a very close match to my 50 and 60 Sport ones. The 50,60,90,100 taps are interchangeable even though there are cosmetic differences. I hope this helps.
Ray
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Mopar392 on July 17, 2015, 09:50:52 AM
Rayk,
Your on spot, these taps are a bargain at 17 bucks, have bought 6 of them, they are a quality piece and perform flawlessly.
Cheers,
Lee
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: slawsonb on July 17, 2015, 11:32:17 AM
Thanks Ray.
...bert
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 17, 2015, 02:16:20 PM
Good tip on the needle nose pliers. Was able to seriously tighten the ring around the selector. But it still leaks.

Used the pliers to unthread it all the way and sure enough, there's a rubber washer that's cracked. Can I just get a replacement at a sink/plumbing store, or do I need something made to handle fuel mix?
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: dcr on July 17, 2015, 04:02:47 PM
I would make sure its something that can handle fuel exposure or your bound for a whole pile of trouble. Leaking fuel tends to be more than just a minor inconvenience. 
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: coxy on July 17, 2015, 04:44:38 PM
I don't know about the little ones but in my 175/350 I used 2 orings slipped over the top of each other with little grease .that was six months ago and it does not leak
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: OldSwartout on July 18, 2015, 08:39:09 AM
I would make sure its something that can handle fuel exposure or your bound for a whole pile of trouble. Leaking fuel tends to be more than just a minor inconvenience. 

Yes, the rubber from the plumbing section will swell, soften and/or crumble in short order.  It's difficult to find a sheet of rubber of the right thickness in material that will withstand fuel. One possibility is the silicone rubber sheets sold in the household section of some stores as an anti-stick baking pan liner. I haven't actually tried it to repair a fuel petcock, but silicone rubber should be fuel resistant.
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 18, 2015, 12:44:10 PM
Yeah, I've been to two auto supply stores and no luck. The flat rubber washer shape is just not very common. I may have to break down and buy a new petcock. Fortunately they're cheap.
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 18, 2015, 12:56:56 PM
I've never been able to get Richard to reply to emails or catch him on the phone when I call. If I look for an aftermarket petcock, anybody know what threading I need to look for to fit the bs-7 fuel tank?
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: RayK on July 18, 2015, 06:50:06 PM
Matt
Please re-read my post above with a link to buy a suitable fuel tap. Re contacting Richard, I have no trouble contacting him via e-mail or phone even though I live 9,300 miles away with a 14 hour time difference. I'm sure that you will be able to catch him if you keep trying.

Best wishes
Ray
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: old smokey on July 23, 2015, 12:03:25 AM
For the couple of times I've ordered parts from Richard I've had good luck using this email (which I think he recommends).  bsparts@aye.net
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: BRT-GTR on July 26, 2015, 09:57:59 AM
   Try Googling Nitrile or Viton rubber sheet, just found this on Ebay in the UK. I think Viton is better for petrol. 

            http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/230808275163?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/230808275163?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0)

  Will order an A4 X 2mm sheet for fuel tap washers. A lifetime supply for £6, not bad..                    Brian.
Title: Re: Petcock leaking
Post by: Olclops on July 30, 2015, 12:29:00 PM
Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up getting a tube of stuff called "gasket maker" that i just squeezed in there and let dry. Sealed it up perfectly, holding up fine so far.